Drinking water projects in Drinking water projects in developing countries developing countries

Factors of success and failureFactors of success and failure

Luc HensHuman Ecology Department Free University of BrusselsLaarbeeklaan 103, 1090 BrusselsHuman.ecology@vub.ac.behttp://www.vub.ac.be/MEKO/

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Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

ContentContent

• Water qualityWater quality• Water quantityWater quantity• Managing a drinking water projectManaging a drinking water project• Gender balance Gender balance • The economic value of waterThe economic value of water

Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

Water quality Water quality • Biological pollutantsBiological pollutants

Eye infections Eye infections Penetrating skinPenetrating skinTyphusTyphusDIARRHOEADIARRHOEA

• Chemical pollutionChemical pollutionAs skin pigmentation + cancerAs skin pigmentation + cancerFF- - dental effects + fluorosisdental effects + fluorosis

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Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

Water quantityWater quantity

• Drought Drought • DeforestationDeforestation• IrrigationIrrigation• Population growthPopulation growth

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Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

Managing a drinking water projectManaging a drinking water project

• Building mutual trustBuilding mutual trust

• Mapping Mapping

Community management

Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

• Semi-structured interviewSemi-structured interview• Household sketchesHousehold sketches• Seasonal changesSeasonal changes• Institutions: roles and responsibilitiesInstitutions: roles and responsibilities• Local knowledgeLocal knowledge• Conflict management: ‘select a water committee’Conflict management: ‘select a water committee’

select members among clear criteriaselect members among clear criteria• Assessment of satisfactionAssessment of satisfaction

Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

Gender balanceGender balance

Increase participation of womenIncrease participation of women

Create an environment that encourages women

Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

The economic value of water The economic value of water Willingness to payWillingness to pay

Improve serviceImprove serviceThreats to the existing serviceThreats to the existing serviceImprovement of the economic situationImprovement of the economic situation

Reasons for not paymentReasons for not paymentPoor management tariff systemPoor management tariff systemLack of community ownershipLack of community ownershipPerception of water as a free resourcePerception of water as a free resourcePovertyPovertyGovernment’s responsibilityGovernment’s responsibility

Transparent tariff system

Human Ecology DepartmentHuman Ecology Department

ConclusionConclusionDeveloping countriesDeveloping countries

Poor water qualityPoor water qualityPoor water quantityPoor water quantityTechnical assistance Technical assistance

EducationEducationCommunity managementCommunity managementGender balanceGender balanceTransparent tariff systemTransparent tariff system

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